The Minnesota State Patrol welcomed 35 new troopers at a graduation ceremony on Friday.
The cadets with varying diverse backgrounds took their oath following a successful completion of the State Patrol’s 68th and 69th training academies.
Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, DPS Commissioner Bob Jacobson, and Interim Colonel Christina Bogojevic and Captain Eric Barthel of the State Patrol were in attendance at the graduation ceremonies.
Among the 35 new troopers are two residents of our region. Emery Forsythe of Becker has been assigned to the Minnetonka Division, while John Thao of Rogers was assigned to the State Patrol’s Golden Valley Division. The cadets will all attend additional training at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension before starting field training with another trooper. Following successful completion of field training, the new troopers will begin their solo patrol in late July.
